Portable shampoo cabinet



1958 a. E. GLINTZ 2,850,742

PORTABLE SHAMPOO CABINET Filed Aug. 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Georgia E. G/infz INVENTOR.

United States Patent PORTABLE SHAMPOO CABINET Georgia E. Glintz, Des Moines, Iowa Application August 26, 1957, Serial No. 680,302

Claims. (Cl. 4-159) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in hairdressing equipment and more specifically to an improved portable shampoo cabinet. This invention is an improvement over my prior Patent No. 2,760,207.

There are many instances of women who are unable to sit or stand in order that their hair may be properly shampooed. These women include those in hospitals temporarily and invalids. These people are very desirous of having their hair shampooed as well as other individuals, although to shampoo their hair would be very inconvenient if not impractical. On the other hand, persons lying in bed are greatly refreshed by having their hair shampooed. Therefore, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a shampoo unit which is so constructed whereby persons lying in bed may readily have their hair shampooed without the problem of how to keep the water used during the shampooing operation from going all over the bed and adjacent areas.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved shampoo unit which is in the form of a portable cabinet which carries the necessary water tanks and other accessories for shampooing ones hair while in bed, the cabinet being relatively small and being mounted on wheels whereby it may be readily stored or transported from one place to another.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved portable shampoo unit, the shampoo unit including a cabinet which is provided with wheels to facilitate the movement thereof, the cabinet having mounted therein a first tank for fresh water and a second tank which functions as the drain tank, there also being mounted in the cabinet a pump which is selectively communicated with the two tanks so that water may be first pumped from the fresh water supply tank during the shampooing operation and then water from the drain tank may be pumped back into a sink or other type of plumbing fixture after the shampooing operation has been completed.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved shampoo unit which is portable and compact, the unit including a wheeled cabinet, the cabinet having mounted therein a water supply tank and a drain tank, the tanks being arranged in partial overlying offset relation, whereby there is provided in the cabinet an upper storage space for accessories of the shampoo unit and there is provided a lower space for a pump and piping to facilitate the selective pumping of water from the two tanks, whereby water may be supplied under pressure during the shampooing operation and then may be pumped from the drain tank after the shampooing operation has been completed.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: Figure l is a perspective view of the portable shampoo unit, which is the subject of this invention, and shows the shampoo unit in position for a shampooing operation;

Figure 2 is an enlarged bottom view of the shampoo cabinet structure and shows the arrangement of piping and a pump in the bottom part thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of Figure 1 and shows the specific internal construction of the shampoo cabinet, the shampooing basin being shown in a stored position by dotted lines; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one corner of the shampoo cabinet and shows the manner in which the spray head of the shampoo unit is temporarily stored.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the shampoo unit which is the subject of this invention, the shampoo unit being referred to in general by the reference "numeral 10. The shampoo unit It) includes a shampoo cabinet 12 which is generally rectangular in outline and which includes a front wall 14, a rear wall 16 and side walls 18 and 20. The walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 are provided at their lower edges with inturned flanges 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively. Also, the walls 14, 18 and 20 are provided at their upper edges with inturned flanges 30, 32 and 34, respectively. The cabinet 12 also includes a partial top wall 36 which overlies the rear portion of the top of the cabinet 12 and which has peripheral flanges 38, 40 and 42 depending therefrom in overlapping relation to upper parts of the rear wall 16 and the side walls 18 and 20, respectively.

In order that access to the interior of the upper part of the cabinet 12 maybe had, there isprovided a cover which is referred to in general bythe reference numeral 44. The cover 44 includes a top wall forming portion 46 which is hingedly connected to a forward edge of the top wall 36 by means of a hinge 48. The cover 44 also includes depending flanges 50, 52 and 54 which overlap upper portions of the front wall 14 and the side walls 18 and 20, respectively, when the cover 44 is in a lowered position. The cover 44 is provided with a suitable knob 56 to facilitate movement of the cover from a closed position to an open position.

Secured to the rear part of the cabinet 12 is a frame which is referred to in general by reference numeral 58. The frame 58 includes a lower frame member 60 which extends horizontally across the rear surface of the rear wall 16 adjacent the lower edge thereof. The rear frame member 60 includes forwardly extending ends 62 and 64 which are in overlying relation to the lower parts of the side walls 18 and 20. Carried by the extensions 62 and 64 are axles 66 and 68 which carry wheels 70 and 72, respectively. The cabinet 12 is further supported by a pair of front supports 74 and 76. The front support 74 is secured to the flanges 22 and 26 at their intersection and the support 76 is secured to the flanges 22 and 28 at their intersection, the supports being in the form of rods extending downwardly from the cabinet 12 and being of a length whereby the cabinet 12 is in a horizontal position when the supports 74 and 76 are engaging a supporting surface.

The frame 58 also includes a pair of vertical members 78 and 80 which have their lower ends secured to the framemember 60 and which project upwardly adjacent the upper end of the cabinet 12; V The upper ends of the members 80 are secured to the rear wall 16 by means of brackets 82. The members 78 and 80 are tubular in construction and support for vertical adjustment a handle which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 84. The handle 84 includes a cross bar 86 and depending legs 88 and 90 which are telescoped inthe members 78 and80, respectively. The members 78 and 80 carry setscrews 92 and 94 which engage the legs 83 and 90, re-

spectively, to retain the handle 84 in a vertically adjusted position.

As is best shown in Figure 3, there is mounted in the lower forward part of the cabinet 12 a water supply tank 96. The water supply tank 96 is rectangular in cross section and extends almost the full width of the cabinet 12, the tank 96 terminating short of the side wall 20. Partially overlying the water supply tank 96 and disposed in the upperrear portion of the cabinet 12 is a drain tank 98. It is to be noted that the bottom wall of the drain tank 98 seats upon the top wall of the water supply tank 96, and the drain tank 98 terminates short of the side wall 20.

Extending across the upper part of the water supply tank 96 between the front wall 14 and the drain tank 98 is a plate 100 which forms a bottom wall of a storage area 102 which is defined by upper portions of the front wall 14 and the side walls 18 and 20 and by the front of the drain tank 98. Extending upwardly into the storage area 102 is a filler pipe 104 for the water supply tank 96. The filler pipe 104 is provided with a removable cover 106 and water may be placed into the water supply tank 96 through the upper end of the filler pipe 104. If desired, a funnel 108 may be used to facilitate the pouring of water into the tank 96.

Due to the offset relation of the tanks 96 and 98, there is also provided a space 110 in the lower rear part of the cabinet 12. The space 110 is defined by the rear wall 16, the side walls 18 and 20 and the rear of the tank 96. Disposed in the bottom part of the space 110 is a water pump 112 which is driven by an electric motor 114. The water pump and motor unit are mounted on a plate 116 which is secured to the flanges 24 and 28.

Also disposed in the space 110 is suitable piping which includes a main supply pipe 118 for the pump 112. The main supply pipe 118 is provided at the end thereof remote from the pump 112 with a T-fitting 120 which has connected thereto a pipe 122 whose opposite end is connected to the bottom of the tank 96 whereby water from the water supply tank 96 may be furnished the pump 112.

Also connected to the T-fitting 120 is a pipe 124 which carries a valve 126. The pipe 124 is L-shaped in outline and has the upper end thereof connected to the bottom of the drain tank 98. The valve 126 includes an operator 128 which is disposed rearwardly of the rear wall 16 of the cabinet 12.

Connected to the pump 112 is a discharge pipe 130 which in turn has connected thereto a discharge hose 132 by means of a fitting 134 as is best shown in Figure 3. The opposite end of the discharge hose 132, as is best shown in Figure 4, is provided with a head 136 which includes a removable spray fitting 138.

The upper part of the drain tank 98 is provided with a filler fitting 140 which is normally closed by a cap (not shown). Connected to the filler fitting 140 is a fitting 142 of a drain line 144. The opposite end of the drain line 144 is removably connected to a drain fitting 146 of a shampoo basin 148 by means of a fitting 150. The shampoo basin 148 may be of any design, but is so constructed whereby water will drain into the drain fitting 146 during a shampooing operation.

In order that the shampoo unit 10 may be self-sustaining, the side wall 12 is provided with an electrical receptacle 152 into which there may be plugged an electric supply line. The electrical receptacle 152 is connected to the motor 114 by means of suitable wiring (not shown) including a control switch 154 so that the motor 114 may be selectively energized to drive the pump 112.

In the operation of the present invention, the valve 126 is turned to a closed position and the water supply tank 96 has been provided with the necessary water 153 of the desired temperature. The basin 148 is placed upon the bed 155 of the person whose hair is to be shampooed in the desired position. If desired, a headrest 156 may be placed in the basin 148 for the comfort of the person whose hair is being shampooed. Then, as is necessary, the switch 154 is actuated to effect pumping of the Water 153 through the discharge hose 132 into the discharge head 136 in order that water may be sprayed upon the persons head. This water will immediately drain out of the basin 148 back into the drain tank 98. The shampooing operation is continued in the normal manner until completed. At this time, the supply of water 153 will be greatly reduced if not depleted and the drain tank 98 will be almost filled. After the shampooing operation has been completed, the shampoo cabinet 12 may then be wheeled back to the vicinity of a plumbing fixture and the valve 128 opened. Then all of the water, from both the water supply tank 96 and the drain tank 98, may be pumped from the shampoo unit 10 by using the pump 112. If desired, the spray head 138 may be removed from the discharge head 136, and the discharge hose 132 used, although normally the discharge hose 132 will be replaced by the drain line 144.

As is best shown in Figures 1 and 4, there is secured to the flange 42 adjacent the intersection with the flange 38 a bracket 158. The bracket 158 is of a size to receive the upper end of the discharge hose 132 in order that the discharge head 136 may be conveniently supported when not required during the shampooing operat1on.

After the. shampooing operation has been completed, the drain hOse 144 is disconnected from the drain tank 98 and the basin 148. The discharge hose 132 will be stored in the cabinet or between the side wall 20 and the adjacent ends of the tanks 96 and 98. Towels and other accessories will be stored in the space 102.

In order to facilitate the storage of the basin 148, there is secured to the lower part of the rear wall 16 a first clip 160. A second clip 162 is carried by the rear wall 16 in vertical alignment with the clip 160, but adjacent the upper edge of the rear wall 16. The basin 148, as is best shown in Figure 3 is provided with a first flange 164 which is engageable under the clip and an opening 166 at the opposite end thereof which receives the clip 162. The drain line 144 will be stored within the basin 148 together with the cushion 156.

From the foregoing description of the shampoo unit 10, it will be readily apparent that there has been devised a shampoo unit which is very compact so that it requires a minimum of space and at the same time contains all of the required elements of a portable shampoo unit so that a shampooing operation may be carried out in an eflicient and effective manner. Further, the shampoo unit is so constructed whereby the desired supply of water is available at all times and at the same time the waste water is immediately drained away so that there is no water problem. Further, the filling and draining of the tanks of the unit is readily accomplished by means which require little effort on the part of the user. How of drain water into the water supply tank 96 is prevented by a check valve positioned in the pipe 122.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable shampoo unit comprising a portable cabinet, a supply tank and a waste tank mounted in said cabinet, a pump carried by said cabinet, piping connecting said pump with said supply tank, a head washing basin, a flexible drain line connecting said basin to said waste tank, and a discharge line connected to said pump, other piping connecting said drain tank to said pump, a valve in said other piping controlling communication of said drain tank with said pump.

2. A portable shampoo unit comprising a portable cabinet, a supply tank and a waste tank mounted in said cabinet, a pump carried by said cabinet, piping connecting said pump with said supply tank, a head washing basin, a flexible drain line connecting said basin to said waste tank, and a discharge line connected to said pump, one of said tanks being seated on the other of said tanks in offset relation, said tanks and portions of said cabinet defining an upper storage space for supplies and said discharge line.

3. A portable shampoo unit comprising a portable cabinet, a supply tank and a waste tank mounted in said cabinet, a pump carried by said cabinet, piping connecting said pump with said supply tank, a head washing basin, a flexible drain line connecting said basin to said waste tank, and a discharge line connected to said pump, one of said tanks being seated on the other of said tanks in offset relation, said tanks and portions of said cabinet defining a lower space for said piping and said motor.

4. A portable shampoo unit comprising a portable cabinet, a supply tank and a waste tank mounted in said cabinet, a pump carried by said cabinet, piping connecting said pump with said supply tank, a head washing basin, a flexible drain line connecting said basin to said waste tank, and a discharge line connected to said pump, other piping connecting said drain tank to said pump, a valve in said other piping controlling communication of said drain tank with said pump, one of said tanks being seated on the other of said tanks in ofiset relation, said tanks and portions of said cabinet defining a lower space for said piping and said motor.

5. A portable shampoo unit comprising a portable cabinet, a supply tank and a waste tank mounted in said cabinet, a pump carried by said cabinet, piping connecting said pump with said supply tank, ahead washing basin, a flexible drain line connecting said basin to said waste tank, and a discharge line connected to said pump, one of said tanks being seated on the other of said tanks in offset relation, said tanks and portions of said cabinet defining an upper storage space for supplies and said discharge line and a lower space for said piping and said motor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,302,559 Hynek May 6, 1919 2,760,207 Glintz Aug. 28, 1956 2,761,149 Kay Sept. 4, 1956 

